Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin must avoid spot-kicks at Chesham
Sunday, September 5 2004
The Canaries travel to Chesham on Tuesday and one thing's clear, they must avoid giving away a penalty!
Chesham have relied on spot-kicks to get them through their opening half-dozen games, and striker John Lawford, once coveted by Hitchin, has scored five times from the spot so far this season.In total, Lawford has netted seven times and leads the Southern League scoring list.
After a bright start, Chesham have lost their last two games. Hitchin never find it easy at the Meadow, although three seasons ago, they drew 5-5 there. A year later, Chesham won 2-1, but against all expectations, were relegated at the end of the campaign.
Next Saturday, Hitchin travel to Rugby United, an ambitious club recently buoyed by a cash injection from the Football Foundation. They have had mixed fortunes so far this season.
Canaries manager Kerry Dixon has been pleased with the attitude of his players this season. "They have shown great character at times, especially at Histon last Monday. They have listened to criticism and responded well.
But we need to have our full strength side available and at the moment, this just isn't happening."
Dixon was hit with a triple blow last week when Darran Hay, Gavin Jaggard and Josh Sozzo were all injured. Hay will be out for seven weeks, Jaggard for two. Sozzo has now recovered from his niggling injuries.
